Gutted John Micklethwait, 53, will miss out on a £100,000 windfall if they clinch the title. He had placed a £20 flutter on the Foxes winning the title every season for the last 20 years.

But after moving to a new job in New York last summer, he missed making the bet at odds of 5000-1. City will clinch the title if they win at Manchester United on Sunday – or if second-place Spurs lose to Chelsea on Monday night.

John, who is the editor-in-chief of international news agency Bloomberg, said: “When Leicester started winning games I felt happy.

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ONTO A WIN: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates after scoring

“Mainly because I wanted them to win but partly because I pessimistically thought Leicester would never win the league.

“I miscalculated the odds and thought I had only given up £10,000, not £100,000!”

John Micklethwait

“Also because, and this is embarrassing, I miscalculated the odds and thought I had only given up £10,000, not £100,000!”

John started watching the club in the 70s with pal Tim Davies, who became City’s chief executive in 2003. But it was not until Martin O’Neill became manager during the mid-90s that he thought it was worth having a flutter.

John said: “I did win in League One and the Championship and it became a ritual expression of hope and loyalty.”

Several nervous punters who backed City at the start of the season have already cashed in their bets, picking up payouts of up to £108,000.

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But Leigh’s on for £15k

LEICESTER fan Leigh Herbert is set to win £15,000 after betting on them for the first time ever.

The lifelong supporter claims he had a sneaky hunch it would be the Foxes’ year when boss Claudio Ranieri took over last summer.

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BETTER BY FAR: Leicester fan Leigh Herbert is set to rake in £15,000

He said: “It all started in August 2015 when Ranieri was appointed as our manager.

“My first thought was the experience he brings will be fantastic for us – unlike so many other fans, I knew he would be fantastic.

“I have never bet on Leicester – in fact, I only bet on the Grand National. But something was telling me in my head that we would do well this season.”

Carpenter Leigh has vowed to have a huge party with his “small fortune” should the East Midlands team complete a remarkable triumph.

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Jamie Vardy - £70,000 per week

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EXCELLENT: Leicester City's manager Claudio Ranieri celebrating

The 31-year-old said: “After a few ciders and Jack Daniels, I checked the odds – 5,000-1.

“I thought to myself: ‘that’s worth a £3 bet’.”

Leigh has refused to take the money and run before the end of the season.

He tweeted William Hill: “We are going to win the league – why would I cash out now?”